“As a national leader in online undergraduate education, OSU Ecampus enables working adults to engage with our world-class faculty in a cutting-edge learning environment that offers the exact same quality OSU’s on-campus students receive,” OSU President Ed Ray said. “We’re excited to work closely with Peet’s Coffee and its employees to offer a plan that leads to their career and life success.”

Peet’s employs more than 5,000 people across the country. The program is open to Peet’s employees who work part-time or full-time and do not have an undergraduate degree. Employees must meet OSU’s admissions requirements and can enroll in programs such as business administration, liberal studies, sustainability, Spanish and human development and family sciences.

The program is specifically designed to benefit people who might not have otherwise earned a bachelor’s degree. It supports a work-life balance that works for Peet’s employees.

According to the company, Peet’s will reimburse employees up to $5,250 in qualified tuition and fees annually. Federal financial aid and any applicable scholarships also will contribute to student costs.

Peet’s employees will pay as little as $15 per each successfully completed course, according to the company. The deal is similar to one struck between Starbucks and Arizona State University in which employees can be reimbursed for courses taken in their junior and senior years. Walmart also has a scholarship program available for part-time and full-time associates and dependents.

“Peet’s Coffee is committed to making significant investments in our employees through competitive wages, generous 401k plans, affordable health care, and many other benefits that build lasting careers,” said Jane Marvin, senior vice president of people and culture at Peet’s Coffee.

“We’re proud to unveil the Peetnik Pathway to College Program in collaboration with Oregon State University to further that commitment by providing education assistance and only the highest-quality learning experiences to our Peetniks.”